Nutrition Ch. 9

Hypercalcemia

A condition marked by an abnormally high concentration of calcium in the blood.

T-Score

A comparison of an individual's bone density to the average peak bone density of 30-year-old healthy adult.

Hypocalcemia

A condition characterized by an abnormally low concentration of calcium in the blood.

Calcium Tetany

A condition in which muscles experience twitching and spasms as a results of inadequate blood calcium levels.

Hypermagnesia

A condition marked by an abnormally high concentration of magnesium in the blood.

Fluorosis

A condition marked by staining and pitting of the teeth, caused by an abnormally high intake of fluoride.

Hypomagnesia

A condition marked by tan abnormally low concentration of magnesium in the blood.

Cortical Bone (Compact Bone)

A dense tissue that makes up the outer surface of all bones as well as the entirety of most small bones of the body.

Calcium Rigor

A failure of muscles to relax, which leads to hardening or stiffening of the muscles, caused by high levels of blood calcium.

Trabecular Bone (Spongy Bone)

A porous bone tissue that makes up only 20% of our skeleton and is found within the ends of long bones, inside the spinal vertebrae, inside the flat bones and inside the bones of the pelvis.

Collagen

A protein that forms strong fibers in bone and connective tissue.

Osteoblasts

Cells that prompt the formation of new bone matrix by laying down the collagen-containing component of bone, which is then mineralized.

Dual energy x-ray Absorptiometry

Currently, the most accurate tool for measuring bone density.

Parathyroid Hormone

It increases blood calcium levels by stimulating the activation of Vitamin D, increasing reabsorption of calcium from the kidneys, and stimulating osteoclasts to break down bone, which releases more calcium into the bloodstream.

Calcitonin

Secreted by the thyroid gland. Calcitonin inhibits the action of vitamin D, preventing reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys, limiting calcium absorption in the small intestine, and inhibiting the osteoclasts from breaking down bone.

Bone Density

The degree of compactness of bone tissue, reflecting the strength of the bones.

Bioavailability

The degree to which our body can absorb and utilize any given nutrient.

Calcitroil

The primary active form of vitamin D in the body.

Resorption

The process by which the surface of bone is broken down by cells called osteoclasts.

Remodeling

The two-step process by which bone tissue is recycled, includes the breakdown of existing bone and the formation of new bone.